Troy De Mattos, the Stabroek Market drink vendor who was shot and robbed on Saturday night, is in stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
The man, who was rushed to the medical institution shortly after being shot by a lone gunman, is currently a patient of GPH’s High Depen-dency Unit (HDU). Hospital sources yesterday indicated that De Mattos “sustained a serious wound but is in stable condition”.
De Mattos, 37, was in his drink stall at Stabroek Square when the incident occurred a little after 8 pm. Rhonda Sutton, the man’s niece, had told Stabroek News on Saturday night that she was a few inches away from her uncle operating her drinks stall when the gunshot rang out.
“I hear this thing go off and look over and see me uncle holding he chest,” Sutton related.
Meanwhile, police in a press statement yesterday said they are investigating the armed robbery. De Mattos, who according to police is from West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, was robbed at about 8.15pm Saturday at Croal Street and Avenue of the Republic.
Police said that “Investi-gations revealed that Troy De Mattos was standing in front of his stall when a man approached who attempted to take away De Mattos’ gold chain. A scuffle ensued between De Mattos and his assailant who pulled out a firearm and shot him to his [chest]. The man then grabbed the chain and escaped.”
Sutton after hearing the gunshot that night went over to De Mattos and saw that he had already started to lose a fair amount of blood. A police patrol which was passing at the time, Sutton had said, responded to the calls for help and transported them to the hospital.
The woman said on Saturday night that she had no idea what had transpired between her uncle and the gunman, but her uncle told her that the man stole his chain. She said some persons at the market square said they saw the man approach her uncle and they exchanged brief words. Sutton said based on what she knows her uncle did not have problems with anyone.